"Take heed," he answered, "that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time is close at hand.' Do not go and follow them.

Look carefully that there be no one who falls back from the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up to trouble you, and by its means many become defiled.

I am coming quickly. Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

That we lose

Did you have such experience to no purpose??f indeed it was really to no purpose?

I am alarmed about you for fear lest I may have bestowed labor on you to no purpose.

that you may become blameless and innocent, the sons of God, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like stars in a dark world,

if only we guide our steps by the standards we have already attained.

But ever call to mind the former days, in which, after having been enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings;

I am coming quickly. Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

That we receive

The reaper is already receiving wages and gathering a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together.

Now, though he who plants and he who waters are one, each will receive his own reward, according to his own service.

and last of all, as by one born out of due time, he was seen by me also.

General references

"'This fellow began to build and could not finish.'